"How about this for a headline:Long-lost daughter exploits father's weakness to claim her inheritance." Jakob's enthusiasm doesn't seem genuine, but it still makes me flinch inwardly.
We can't do that to Sky.
No. I meant that it's probably not the whole truth. Half-truths aren't enough.
I raise my hand. "Too much hearsay. It's not enough for an article."
Jakob taps his fingers thoughtfully on the wooden table. "What if we frame the headline as a question? That way, no one can accuse us of anything."
"No, we won't do that!" As serious journalists, our professional ethics are already compromised enough.
"Why are you so shocked?" His forehead turns into a series of craters. "I thought we were on the same page," he adds, sounding disheartened.
"Yes, we were," I admit because I stand by my word. "But..."
Sweat beads form on his temples. "You promised, and so far, I've written every article for the first issue ofRyktesspegeln."
"Oh God, that name."The Mirror of Rumors. I'll never get used to it. Dreadful.
Now, his expression turns worried. "If we don't hurry up, we'll have to file for bankruptcy. Do you want that?"
"Never, dammit." Nevertheless, just writing a sensationalist article like that feels wrong.
"Then what's the problem?" he asks in such a harsh tone that I don't even need to look at him to know he's swallowing hard.
There's no problem. Not really.
But somehow, there is.
With trembling fingers, he places his cup back down. "What happened in Milan?"
"Nothing," I reply much too quickly, as if he caught me in something.
What's wrong with me? That's a fact. Nothing happened. I have no reason to feel guilty.
I exhale, trying to regain control. "I just think we're shooting our load too quickly if we go public with this now."
Yes, that's exactly it.
"Because you believe there's more to it," Jakob continues my thought. "And you suspect that if you dig deeper, you'll find a much better story."
"I find that very likely," I answer, speaking the truth even though it feels wrong.
"Good." He steps closer and puts his hand on my shoulder. "Then get us something that will put us back on track. Please, Kjell, it's important."
As if I didn't already know that. I want to respond with that, but a glance at his pained face makes me hold my tongue.
"Today is Saturday, a perfect day to do something with the girl and get some information out of her." Extracting information sounds...
I nod with great effort. At the same time, I sort through my thoughts in search of something to hold on to.
If I go to her, I'll get the chance to find out who Sky really is. And once I have my answers, this confusing feeling she stirs in me will also disappear.
Yes. That's it.
"I have to go, unfortunately. Merle and I have another appointment." He lifts the corners of his mouth into a forced smile. "Have a nice afternoon." His hand on my shoulder becomes heavier. "And don't forget, everyone lies."
"Yes," I murmur, aware that those aren't his words but my own.
No, they're more than just words.
It's a truth that I must never lose sight of, no matter what happens.
